Chen Yi: Three Dances From China South

Description

On the occasion of its 30th anniversary, the ensemble Music From China commissioned Chen Yi for a new work, which became Three Dances from China South, scored for Chinese instruments. Its three descriptive movements (Lions Playing Ball, Bamboo Dance, Lusheng Dance) are each inspired by folk dances from the southeastern provinces of China. Lions Playing Ball is drawn from a folk tune played for the dance of the same title. The movement includes several variations on a theme, a method inspired by the rhythmic patterns used in traditional ensembles playing. Bamboo Dance is an age-old folk dance performed for ritual ceremony and harvest celebration. Pairs hold long bamboo poles and clap them loudly, while dancers dance between poles in varied patters. Lusheng Dance is a folk dance of the Dong people in Guangxi province. Overlaying the rhythmic patters, the leading erhu and flute imitate a two-voice folk song of the Zhuang people.